The Official Site of the Villisca Axe Murders
The Villisca Axe Murder House
For history buffs, the faint-of-heart, and schools or clubs, the Villisca Axe Murder House and the Olson-Linn Museum on the Villisca Town Square are open for daytime tours. Since opening the house to the public, the Linn's have been hosts to school groups from across the midwest as well as individuals who just aren't ready to tackle the house after dark.
During the tour season which runs from April 1st - November 1st, the museum is open daily from 9:00 am - 4:00 pm. Walk-in tours of the house and museum will be conducted on a first come, first serve basis. Group tours must be reserved in advance and discounted rates are available.
Darwin conducts all tours as guided tours during the day and they will last between 1 and 2 hours depending upon whether or not a tour of the museum is included. If you make prior arrangements, the tour can also include a walk thru the Villisca cemetery.
The Villisca Library currently has a display including the furnishings of the study of Frank Jones and other artifacts related to the Villisca Axe Murders and is an excellent place to visit if you're in town during open hours.
If you'd like more information or to book a group or individual daytime tour, you may call Darwin at 712-621-4291 or via email.
The price for an individual daytime tour of the house and museum is $10.00 per person. Children under 12 are free. For school groups, the price is $2.00 per student for high school and $1.00 per student for junior high and below.
Visitor's say....
"I went to the house on a day tour for a paper I was writing for one of my crime classes. But even during the day I got this feeling of being watched. Planning on going back for an overnight with friends. That and my boyfriend is a skeptic and I am bound to make a believer out of him :-P What better place that Villisca? Oh and the cafe in town has AWESOME food, I really recommend stopping in and having a bite to eat!"
Lindsey~ Cedar Rapids, Ia
"We visited the house today and found it to be so interesting, I will definately go back. We really had a great time today!"
Shyanne~ Des Moines/Ankeny, Ia
"Darwin is such a great, humble person. He has done an amazing job restoring the house to its original state! Go and visit the Villisca House; you will learn so much!"
Irene~ Kansas City, Mo
"I am in love with this house. I have been, and still planning on visiting every year."
Becca ~ Council Bluffs, IA
"I took my daughter and granddaughter thru the house around last Thanksgiving. They were awed by the house and enjoyed their visit, and are planning on coming back as soon as they can."
Conie ~ Omaha, NE
"I just wanted to thank Darwin and Martha for the great tour and information."
Steven ~ Iowa
"We would like to thank Darwin for our very own tour. It was an experience that we will never forget. We will be back for the same tour over and over again. If anyone is reading this and you have a chance to go to the house, DO IT. It was an great experience."
Cariena/Todd Birchard ~ Malvern, IA
"Darwin is a super-nice guy. He really gets a kick out of showing people the house, and telling the history of the house (and the whole town). I spent almost 2 hours there. The axe murder house is cool, but Darwin makes it a special, one-of-a-kind experience. If you are bored with the "canned" and scripted walking tour, this is for you."
Kenny, 10/23/2007